Preller, 36, has been with Texas for 10 years, currently overseeing both player development and scouting. MLB.com credits much of the Rangers' international scouting, which has led to landing players such as Yu Darvish and Jurickson Profar, to Preller.

The Padres are currently in third place in the NL West, though with a record of just 51-61. San Diego has not had a winning season since 2010 and hasn't made the postseason since back-to-back Divisional Series losses to St. Louis in 2005 & '06.